BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has once again tempered his earlier criticism of Bitcoin, acknowledging that cryptocurrencies now have a legitimate role in global markets.
In an interview with CBS on Sunday, Fink reflected on his past comments. He acknowledged that his views have evolved since 2017, when he dismissed Bitcoin as an “index of money laundering.”
“The markets teach you to re-examine your assumptions,” Fink said. He added that, in line with this shift, crypto now plays a role similar to gold as an alternative asset.
However, he cautioned investors against overexposure, advising that digital assets should form only a modest part of any diversified portfolio. “For those looking to diversify, [Bitcoin] is not a bad asset,” Fink said.
From Skepticism to Strategic Acceptance
Fink’s comments mark a notable shift from his earlier skepticism toward crypto. In 2017, he was part of a group of Wall Street leaders, including JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, who openly criticized Bitcoin, calling it speculative and risky. At that time, major financial institutions largely viewed crypto as a fringe asset class.
However, as investor demand surged and regulatory frameworks matured, attitudes began to shift.
Since 2023, Fink has increasingly spoken in favor of the long-term potential of digital assets, emphasizing their role in portfolio diversification. His acknowledgment now reflects a wider acceptance within traditional finance that digital assets are here to stay. Nonetheless, concerns about volatility linger.
BlackRock’s Growing Role in the Crypto Ecosystem
This shift in perspective has coincided with BlackRock’s deepening involvement in the digital asset market. For context, in 2024, the world’s largest asset manager, overseeing approximately $12.5 trillion, made a decisive move into the crypto sector.
It launched the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund. The ETF quickly rose to dominance. Within a year, IBIT became the largest Bitcoin ETF, managing over $93.9 billion in assets and holding more than 804,000 BTC, roughly 3% of Bitcoin’s total supply.
This milestone positioned BlackRock ahead of both corporate and government holders.
Retail Interest Surges Alongside Institutional Demand
Moreover, the firm’s success has not come solely from big investors. In a letter to investors earlier this year, Fink revealed that half of IBIT’s demand has come from retail investors. Interestingly, three-quarters of these investors had never previously owned an iShares product.
This trend suggests that Bitcoin’s appeal is broadening beyond the traditional crypto community. Retail investors, who once viewed Bitcoin as speculative, are now treating it as a legitimate store of value and a hedge against the traditional market risks.
Institutional Adoption Deepens After Trump’s Re-Election
The re-election of U.S. President Donald Trump in January 2025 has further accelerated institutional adoption of digital assets. As policy sentiment toward crypto has warmed, major financial entities, including asset managers, hedge funds, and even some government bodies, have expanded their exposure.
Public organizations now hold approximately 358,000 BTC, while corporate players, including MicroStrategy, Tesla, and Robinhood, have accumulated significant reserves.
Collectively, ETFs, public and private firms, including BlackRock’s IBIT, Fidelity’s FBTC, and Grayscale’s GBTC, control over 1.65 million BTC. This accounts for about 10% of Bitcoin’s circulating supply.
According to industry experts, the growing institutional share could bring greater stability to the crypto market. However, it also raises concerns about concentrating power in an asset that was originally designed to be decentralized.
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